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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mel Naattu

From Devaki (1951) · 1951

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Jikki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Devaki (1951)
Movie release year
1951
Lyrics added on
5 Dec 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mel naattu ilaingar
Vimaanam kandaar
Mottar kandaar
Rayilai kandaar
Ingirukum naamellaam
Idlyum chutniyum
Special dosaiyum thavira
Verenna kandom
Indru aaravunsu ration vanthu adharkkum
Thindaadugirom thindaadugirom…
Pasiyaalae vaadurom paazhum ulagilae
Velai kedaikkallae aanaal
Pengalai kandaal
Joraa vaayaadurom
Veenae mann meethaadurom
Pasiyaalae vaadurom paazhum ulagilae
Velai kedaikkallae aanaal
Pengalai kandaal
Joraa vaayaadurom
Veenae mann meethaadurom
Padiththaalae pothumaa moolai venumae
Kaasu saerkkavae
Padiththaalae pothumaa moolai venumae
Kaasu saerkkavae yaeno
Unmai sonnaal neeyae vaalaatturaai
Veenae en mel paayuraai
Pasiyaalae vaadurom paazhum ulagilae
Velai kedaikkallae aanaal
Pengalai kandaal
Joraa vaayaadurom
Veenae mann meethaadurom
MA-yum BA-yum padiththu vittu
Eththanaiyo per hotel sarvaraanaar
Antha oru velaiyum naam kandomillai
Aanaalum pushcott-til kuraichchalillai
Sugamaaga vaazhavae aasai kuraiyallae
Moolai sariyillae aanaal
Pengalai kadaal
Joraa vaayaadurom
Veenae mann meethaadurom
Pasiyaalae vaadurom paazhum ulagilae
Velai kedaikkallae aanaal
Pengalai kandaal
Joraa vaayaadurom
Veenae mann meethaadurom
Youth in the Western world
invented the aeroplane,
invented the motorcar,
and invented the train.
But all of us living here,
besides idli and chutney
and a special dosa,
what else have we ever discovered?
Today, with a six-ounce food ration in place,
we struggle and suffer even for that!
We starve of hunger in this wretched world,
we cannot find any job, but
the moment we see women,
we talk big and boast,
strutting in vain upon this earth!
We starve of hunger in this wretched world,
we cannot find any job, but
the moment we see a woman,
we talk big and boast,
strutting in vain upon this earth!
Is being educated enough? You need brains
to earn and save some money!
Is being educated enough? You need brains
to earn and save some money, yet
when told the truth, you wag your tail in defiance
and lash out at me for no reason!
We starve of hunger in this wretched world,
we cannot find any job, but
the moment we see a woman,
we talk big and boast,
strutting in vain upon this earth!
After studying for an M.A. and a B.A.,
so many became waiters in restaurants!
We haven't even found a job like that,
yet there is no shortage of fancy bush shirts!
The desire to live in comfort never fades,
though we don't have the brains for it; yet
the moment we see women,
we talk big and boast,
strutting in vain upon this earth!
We starve of hunger in this wretched world,
we cannot find any job, but
the moment we see a woman,
we talk big and boast,
strutting in vain upon this earth!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This satirical track from the 1951 movie Devaki humorously critiques the socio-economic realities of post-independence India. Kannadasan contrasts Western technological achievements like airplanes, trains, and automobiles with the local populace's preoccupation with simple food items and the reality of surviving under severe post-war grain rationing. The song sharply mocks educated yet unemployed young men who hold high university degrees like MA and BA, highlighting how many are forced into menial jobs or remain idle while retaining grand vanity, swagger, and a penchant for flirting with women rather than making practical use of their intelligence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire / Irony

“Mel naattu ilaingar... Idlyum chutniyum...”

Sharp social commentary contrasting Western technological progress (airplanes, cars) with local struggles over basic food items and posturing.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

“Vimaanam kandaar / Mottar kandaar / Rayilai kandaar”

End-rhyme created by repeating 'kandaar' at the end of consecutive lines.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Padiththaalae pothumaa moolai venumae / Kaasu saerkkavae”

Rhyming of the second letter 'di' across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Devaki (1951) starred V. N. Janaki and M. G. Ramachandran. The lyric line 'aaravunsu ration' (six-ounce ration) directly references the severe food grain shortages and strict rationing system enforced in the Madras Presidency during the early 1950s.

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